Microsoft is touting benefits for businesses interested in upgrading to Windows 8

Jun 1, 2012 13:08 GMT  ·  By

Today’s availability of Windows 8 Release Preview marks another milestone in Microsoft’s intent to provide consumers and businesses alike with a new, modern operating system that would work on a variety of devices.

Microsoft has been long touting Windows 8 enhancements aimed at its enterprise users, and it is now offering an overview of the most important of these.

With the final release only months away, business customers can start planning any upgrades to Windows 8, specifically to the Windows 8 Enterprise flavor of the platform.

Windows 8 has a lot to offer to all users, including increased mobile productivity, end-to-end security, virtualization and management advancements, as well as better support for a new range of devices, tablet PCs.

Regardless of the type of computer one uses, Windows 8 will deliver a fluid and fast experience for businesses, as well as a user interface designed to work well both with touchscreens and with traditional input methods, namely keyboard and mouse, Microsoft notes.

Windows 8 will continue to offer support for today’s hardware, while also being designed to work on new, specifically-crafted devices.

Windows 7 users will benefit from the possibility to continue using their software and computers, and businesses will be those to benefit the most from it.

They will enjoy compatibility with their applications, and Microsoft encourages them to continue deployment of Windows 7 even if they are already evaluating the new platform version.

However, there will also be benefits for companies upgrading from Windows 7 to Windows 8, including:

Windows on the go – New features like Windows To Go will give businesses new possibilities in mobile productivity. It’s a fully manageable corporate Windows 8 desktop on a bootable USB stick and it will allow employees to work from anywhere on any device, while also helping IT professionals keep their organizations secure.

Working from anywhere – Enhancements with DirectAccess, Branch Cache and Mobile Broadband eliminate work boundaries while keeping employees secure.

Security –The end-to-end security in Windows 8 is driving a significant level of interest with many of you planning to take advantage of features like Trusted Boot, BitLocker Drive Encryption and AppLocker, enabling a more secure foundation no matter where employees are located. Windows 8 tablets – We’re also getting a lot of feedback from customers about Windows 8 tablets since they will offer a no compromise solution to business delivering both mobile convenience and productivity by running all the Windows 7 line of business and productivity apps with the ability to manage and secure them.

Business apps – We’re hearing overwhelming excitement about the business possibilities with new Windows 8 apps both for internal usage (line of business) as well as the opportunity for organizations to create new innovative experiences for their customers. Windows 8 is a great platform for enterprise developers and we expect a lot of innovative enterprise apps to come.

Companies still using Windows XP are urged to start planning upgrades to Windows 7 (or Windows 8) as soon as possible. The older platform is nearing its end of support life, and costs related to continue using it are considerably higher than those involved in migrating to a newer platform.

More info on Windows 8 and on what the platform means to businesses will become available in the next few weeks. Microsoft is planning on unveiling such details at TechEd North America in Orlando. Antoine Leblond, corporate vice president for Windows Web Services, will keynote on Tuesday, June 12th.